Post on 23-Feb-2016
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Teacher’s NotesThis sequence of slides is designed to introduce, and explain, the idea of errors in practical work, as explained on pages 8 and 362 in New Physics for You, 2006 edition.
On each slide the key points are revealed step by step, at the click of your mouse (or the press of a key such as the space-bar).
Before making the next mouse-click you can ask questions of the class or make statements about what is about to be revealed.This should help students to become clearer about the ideas involved.Naturally it pays to have quick practice-run first.
To start the slide-show, press function-key F5 (or right-click->Full Screen)(to return to ‘normal view’ press the <Esc> key).
For more free PowerPoint presentations, visit www.physics4u.co.uk
How Science works:
Errors
New Physics for You, pages 8, 362
• About different types of errors,• How to reduce them when you
are doing your practical work.
Learning ObjectivesYou should learn :
What is an error?An error
is a mistake of some kind...
…causing an error in
your results……so the
result is not accurate.
What is an error?
Some are due to human
error…
For example,by not using the equipment correctlyLet’s look at some examples.
Human errorExample 1Professor Messer is trying to measure the length of a piece of wood:Discuss what he is doing wrong.How many mistakes can you find? Six?
Human error
1. Measuring from 100 end2. 95.4 is the wrong number 3. ‘mm’ is wrong unit (cm)4. Hand-held object, wobbling5. Gap between object & the rule6. End of object not at the end of the rule7. Eye is not at the end of the object
(parallax)8. He is on wrong side of the rule to see
scale.
Answers:
How many did you find?
Human errorExample 2Reading a scale:
Discuss the best position to put your eye.
youreye
Human error
2 is best.1 and 3 give the wrong readings.This is called a parallax error.
youreye
It is due to the gap here, between the pointer and the scale.Should the gap be wide or narrow?
Anomalous results
When you are doing your practical work, you may get an odd or inconsistent or ‘anomalous’ reading.This may be due to a simple mistake in reading a scale.The best way to identify an anomalous result is to draw a graph.For example . . .
Anomalous results
Look at this graph:Which result do you think may be anomalous?
A result like this should be taken again, to check it.
xx
xx
xx
Types of errors
When reading scales,there are 2 main types of error:
Let’s look at some examples . . .
• Random errors• Systematic errors.
Random errors
These may be due to human error,a faulty technique, or faulty equipment.
To reduce the error,take a lot of readings, and then calculate the average (mean).
These errors cause readings to be shifted one way (or the other) from the true reading.
Systematic errors
Your results will be systematically wrong.
Let’s look at some examples . . .
Example 1Suppose you are measuring with a ruler:
Systematic errors
If the ruler is wrongly calibrated, or if it expands,then all the readings will be too low (or all too high):
Example 2If you have a parallax error:
Systematic errors
with your eye always too highthen you will get a systematic errorAll your readings will be too high.
A particular type of systematic erroris called a zero error.
Systematic errors
Here are some examples . . .
Example 3A spring balance:
Zero errors
Over a period of time, the spring may weaken, and so the pointer does not point to zero:What effect does this have on all the readings?
Example 4Look at this top-pan balance:
Zero errors
There is nothing on it, but it is not reading zero.What effect do you think this will have on all the readings?
It has a zero error.
Example 5Look at this ammeter:
Zero errors
If you used it like this, what effect would it have on your results?
Example 6Look at this voltmeter:
Zero errors
What is the first thing to do?
Use a screwdriver here to adjust the pointer.
Example 7Look at this ammeter:
Zero errors
What can you say?
Is it a zero error?Or is it parallax?
Example 8Look at this ammeter:
Zero error, Parallax error
What is it for?How can you use it to stop parallax error?
It has a mirror behind the pointer, near the scale.
When the image of the pointer in the mirror is hidden by the pointer itself, then you are looking at 90o, with no parallax.
In summary• Human errors can be due to faulty
technique.
• Systematic errors, including zero errors, will cause all your results to be wrong.
• Random errors can be reduced by taking many readings, and then calculating the average (mean).
• Parallax errors can be avoided.• Anomalous results can be seen on a
graph.
• Understand the effects of - Human error, including parallax error,- Random errors,- Systematic errors, including zero errors
• Be able to reduce these errors when doing your practical work
• Be able to identify anomalous results.
Learning OutcomesYou should now:
For more details, see: New Physics for You, page 362
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